BRACHYURI. 159 



to each other. From extreme restlessness the male became quite tran- 

 quil, and an actual embrace speedily followed. 



These creatures dwelt together amicably, and fed readUy, — and 

 this continued for some time. I was in great hopes they would have 

 bx'ed, whereby various obscurities regarding their progeny might have 

 been dispelled. 



But the male, unfortunately, died soon afterwards, just fourteen 

 months after having been acquired. 



I regretted this as an untoward incident, for several reasons. I 

 knew the animal's progress, its age could be nearly determmed, and I 

 was famihar with its habits and treatment. But it is so with all living 

 creatures, — only intervals of observation can be enjoyed. Many must 

 be studied to discover the properties of one. 



Here the periods of exuviation had been distinctly noted, proving, 

 as in other instances, that the intervals are irreg-ular. 



The female above referred to, a fine but pecuUar specimen, was taken 

 on July 22. A gi^eat proportion of white being intermixed with the 

 predommant green of its shell, it remained to be seen whether it would 

 gi'adually disappear on successive exuviation, as that of the former ani- 

 mal. The body was just one inch broad, and expansion of the Kmbs 

 two inches and three quarters, when first delineated on July 27. — 

 Plate XXXV. fig. 1. 



I had not to wait long. 



Exuviation of this specimen followed on the night of the first of 

 August. Except in size, the new shell exactly resembled the old ; the 

 markings in every respect were similar. The animal was now very 

 vigorous ; but it was ravenous m proportion. Though dwelling in per- 

 fect harmony with its companion, the male above mentioned, it would 

 deprive him of his provender by forcible assault, to be carried oiF and 

 devoured at leasure. 



Their union was unproductive. Its mode is in so far remarkable, 

 that the apron of each is folded back on the cartilaginous hinge. 



This female, after rejecting food during three days, cast its shell a 

 second time in the night of October 25, and came in so much larger 



